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Improving Health Later in Life
Reported December 21, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- We know that cutting normal calorie consumption
by 30 to 40 percent can boost lifespan and improve overall health in animals
such as worms and mice.
A paper from MIT biology professor Leonard Guarente strengthens the link
between longevity proteins called sirtuins and the lifespan-extending
effects of calorie restriction. Sirtuins are proteins that keep cells alive
and healthy in the face of stress by coordinating a variety of hormonal
networks, regulatory proteins and other genes.
Guarente reports that sirtuins bring about the effects of calorie
restriction on a brain system known as the somatotropic-signaling axis,
which controls growth and influences lifespan length.
"This puts SIRT1 at a nexus connecting the effects of diet and the
somatropic signaling axis," Guarente was quoted as saying. "This is a major
shot across the bow that says sirtuins really are involved in fundamental
aspects of calorie restriction."
Guarente and others believe that drugs that boost sirtuin production could
help fight diseases of aging such as diabetes and Alzheimer's, improving
health in later life and potentially extending lifespan. Drugs that promote
sirtuin production are now in clinical trials in diabetes patients, with
results expected next year.
In future work, Guarente plans to investigate the mechanism by which
sirtuins regulate the somatotropic axis. The work could assist researchers
and companies in their search for small molecules that modulate sirtuins for
maximum benefit.
SOURCE: Genes and Development, December 15, 2009 |
